Taking shelter in the Law Courts Building alcove, the public entrance on 99 Street faces west — people step in and out of sliding doors — there’s no wind here to make the temperature drop colder. The hum of the heating system is a drone of a pleasing sort when it harmonizes with the 3D soundscape of the carillon bell tower.

Wear headphones or a good pair of earbuds to listen.

Does the pacing of the sound from the Friendship Tower add welcome warmth to the alcove? Where else do you think it might be pleasant to listen for the HARMONY OF THE SQUARE when it’s freezing cold?

LOOKING SOUTH over 102A avenue and into the Square, winter is still very much in evidence.

The 3D soundscape was made from the perspective at the top of the stairs leading down into the LRT entrance near 99th Street, across from the Art Gallery of Alberta. Unusual reflections and echoes of the carillon bells well up from the stairwell below and behind you. The footsteps of pedestrians are prompted by a brisk wind and nippy temperature.

Wear headphones to hear the surround of sound — below, behind, and in front of you. Does the Friendship Tower carillon bells soften the edge of a chilly afternoon?

THE WATER WORKS in front of city hall is as much fun to listen to, as it is to splash about and play in. That said, it’s still a little too cool to swim.

The 3D soundscape was recorded closer to the avenue; you’re facing due south, and the swish and swooshing sounds are located behind you.

The pitch of the jets of spray alters ever so slightly when the pressure drops. You can also detect a slight difference when the carillon bells mingle and dance with the sounds skirting the pool. Can you hear it? Use headphones for the 3D immersive effect.

SPRING IS CLOSE at hand (the picture serves to remind you that summer is quite lovely in Edmonton). And before Churchill Square gets busy, I am sampling the sound of the Friendship Tower carillon in late March. The traffic is quite prominent — the street is not closed to cars and trucks (as it is during festival events).

The 3D soundscape puts you under one of the canopies along the southeast corner of the Square. Use headphones for best result.

Tell me what you think of the audio imaging. Do the chimes bouncing off nearby buildings and the ceiling of the canopy sound pleasing to your ear?

http://www.appropriate-entertainment.com/files/Download/4_UnderCanopy.mp3]]>https://harmonysquare.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/under-a-canopy/feed/0harmonysquareunder canopy summerUnderground parking exit alarmhttps://harmonysquare.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/parking-exit-alarm/
https://harmonysquare.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/parking-exit-alarm/#respondTue, 24 Jan 2012 23:58:18 +0000http://harmonysquare.wordpress.com/?p=88]]>IT WAS PSYCHO: the screech-screech-screech of a parking alarm at an underground exit in the vicinity of the Square.

Abrupt alarms are designed to get attention — to keep pedestrians out of harm’s way. But, how much is too much of a blurt and what’s not enough?

Does this 3D soundscape intervention to soften the warning beacon distract or attract you? Use headphones to hear how it could sound on the sidewalk.

THE SOUND OF DIESEL is one thing. Add squealing brakes, bleeps and bloops and a passersby with an air-horn (in the middle of the afternoon!) and you have one of the more challenging spots to listen for the Friendship Tower bells.

Tell me what you think of this 3D soundscape: an experimental design to make waiting for Edmonton transit more pleasant. Listen for the shimmer and reflections of sound — the screech and hiss of the bus becomes a little easier on the ear. Use headphones for best result.

The 3D recording was made at the City Centre Mall bus shelter, facing east — along 101 Street — looking across into the Square. There’s a persistent hiss and drone of a mechanical device; it’s on your right, adding a bit of edge to the space. And, yes, that swooshing sound is ‘slush’ from the melting snow kicked up by passing traffic.

On the ground, I spot a faded bit of broken plastic — an unexpected rainbow — some welcome colour to the otherwise drab interior of the shelter; the carillon bounces inside and echoes in an attractive way — a ‘sweet spot’ for the HARMONY OF THE SQUARE.

The Metropolis winter festival occupies the center of the Square. On this cold and surprisingly damp day (it’s supposed to be a ‘dry cold’ in this part of Alberta), the carillon tells it like it is. Passersby are quick to find shelter; the festival tents warmed by a persistent drone of propane-fired heaters. What I’d like you to listen for is whether the emotional temperature of the Square is reflected best in this composition for the day… http://www.appropriate-entertainment.com/files/Download/Morning_in_February.mp3